Kansas, North Carolina pursuing Hurt

Adidas/Kelly Kline

Dan McDonald

Rivals contributor

MARIETTA, Ga. —Matthew Hurt earned five-star status in the 2019 class with his play last summer on the Adidas circuit with D-1 Minnesota. He did nothing but solidify his lofty ranking this past weekend in Atlanta at the Underclassmen All-American game as he showed off what a talented, versatile prospect he is.

Hurt said Kansas, North Carolina and “all the Midwest schools” are involved in his recruitment. He’s already taken unofficial visits to Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

At 6-foot-9, he’s a player who can play both outside with his skills but also has the length to play closer to the basket, although he needs to add muscle in a bad way before college. He has a very smooth looking jump shot, he’s comfortable handling the ball, and he’s more than capable of making a defender look silly for contesting him at the rim as he attempts a dunk.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Hurt talked about the schools that are at the forefront of his recruitment.

Kansas: “It’s nice. Everything is really nice there. Their dorms, the practice facility. I liked it there a lot.”

Wisconsin: “It’s really nice too. The atmosphere is crazy. I went there for a football game and it was nice. I’ve built a good relationship with their coaches.”

Minnesota: “Coach [Richard] Pitino has really turned them around. They played well all year and they recruiting well. Their recruiting class should make them good again next year too.”

North Carolina: “They are great. They have a great coaching staff and great players. They always find a way to be in the Sweet 16, Elite Eight or Final Four.”

RIVALS REACTION

Hurt has long been a priority for Pitino at Minnesota. Keeping him home to be a Golden Gopher will take an incredible amount of work, but it would be a major coup if Pitino and his staff can pull it off. Kansas and North Carolina won’t make it easy for them, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if other blue bloods get more serious in the upcoming months. Wisconsin has also done a good job with Hurt so far and have done a very good recruiting in Minnesota lately.